Government must prepare for Irish unity, Catherine Connolly says

Eva Osborne

Presidential candidate Catherine Connolly has said the government must act without delay and prepare for constitutional change when it comes to Irish unity.

Following a meeting with civic society group Ireland’s Future, Connolly said the government has had the Joint Oireachtas Committee’s report providing a "clear blueprint for a new Ireland for over a year and has failed to act".

"That is deeply irresponsible. The work must begin now," she said.

“I welcome the focus placed on ensuring that women’s voices are central to shaping a new Constitution. Women’s perspectives, as well as those of young people, must be at the heart of building a fairer, more equal Ireland.

“Ireland is changing. In the North, a new generation has emerged since the Good Friday Agreement - vibrant, creative, progressive. They are leaders in the arts, in culture, and in the revival of the Irish language.

"They want to move beyond division and build a new Ireland. They look to us for leadership, inclusion and action, and we must not let them down."

Connolly said the Good Friday Agreement makes clear that the people alone will decide the future.

"We cannot delay, deny, or obstruct that right. The Irish and British governments should agree a date for a border poll, and begin preparing now to ensure it is inclusive, fair, and respectful of all traditions.

“As president, I would use the moral authority of the office to encourage dialogue, to bring people together, and to ensure that the voices of women, young people, unionists, and all citizens are heard in shaping the new Ireland.

This is not about fear or division. It is about fairness, equality, and opportunity. It is about building a new, united Ireland that belongs to everyone.”

On Tuesday, Sinn Féin TD for the Dublin Fingal West constituency Louise O'Reilly said she thinks a referendum on a united Ireland is "highly likely" in the next presidential term, adding that she thinks Connolly is the most prepared presidential candidate to work towards that goal.

"I think [a referendum is] highly likely and I think it becomes even more likely now when we see all three of the people who are running to be Uachtaráin have all committed themselves in some form or another to Irish unity.

"They all believe that it's a good thing and that it's something we should talk about and plan for.

"The difference is, the government reps who are running for election seem to think that talking about it is good enough, whereas we see in Catherine a person who's going to be prepared to actually engage in those conversations and work towards it."